Shipping container



' Aug. 29, 1939. w. F. LUCIE ET AL 2,171,309

SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed May 11, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. .F. LUCE RN!) BY (.C. KENNEDY. M

RNEYS.

Aug. 29, 1939. w. F. LUCE ET AL SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed May 11, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 d a n v m m ma Ec VUE T m T u 3A wc W. F. LUCE ET AL SHIPPING CONTAINER Aug. 29, 1939.

3 SheetsSheet 5 Filed May 11, 1958 tiniainli-ii. illlnk INVENTOR. WI. Luc E a ND Iiiii iii? y a u .p

C.C.KENNEDY.

Patented Aug. 29, 193a UNITED STATES 2,171,309 SHIPPING CONTAINER Willis F. Luce,-San Francisco, and Clarence 0.

Kennedy, Palo Alto, Calif., assignors to Owens- Illinois Pacific Coast Comp y, a corporation of Delaware Application May 11, 1938, Serial No. 207,188

12 Claims.

The improved shipping container comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use as a returnable shipping case for beer botties and soft drink bottles which makes re- 5 peated outgoing trips from the brewery or bottling works with the filled bottles therein and which is returned with the empty bottles therein. The principles .of the invention are however applicable to other uses and the container may be employed wherever a rugged and durable shipping -case that will withstand rough usage is required.

In the distribution of beer, particularly local truck distribution of bottled beer from the brewery to the consumer, a shipping container that will withstand hard usage and repeated abuse is essential to economy of handling operations. While the use of a closed substantially sealed carton type of shipping container is most desirable .from the standpoint of light-exclusion from and heat insulation of the bottled product and from the standpoint of protection of the bottles, the rapid deterioration of shippingcontainers of this type has resulted in the general use'of open wooden shipping cases which possess neither insulating qualities nor light exclusion features. Such wooden cases however are rugged and consequently more durable. They are not subject to decomposition when the bottles are placed therein upside down so that the residual liquid is spilled therein as is frequently the case.

They may stand on wet floors or in wet places without danger of the bottoms thereof decomposing and they may be given reasonably rough treatment in use. Such wooden cases however are not ideal mainly because they are expensive.

must be allowed for ready insertion and removal of the bottles from the compartments provided therein, the bottles are free to "rattle contributing materially to the waste space rein their individual compartments, thus further contributing to bottle destruction as well as quired in the shipping of the bottles. Finally such wooden cases, even though they may remain intact after many repeated trips to and from the brewery, rapidly acquire a shabby appearance and are discarded often for that reason alone.

The principal object of the present invention is to-provide a carton type container suitable for the distribution of beer which will overcome the above mentioned limitations that are attendant upon the common carton type of container and upon the wooden shipping case by providing a rugged and durable rigid skeleton or frame work to which there is applied a covering of carton material which may be removed-and replaced at will. Such a container is capable of excluding light from the bottled product; is heat insulating; is reinforced, and therefore is stronger than the common variety of carton container and will withstand rougher I usage while at the same time the skeleton or framework thereof is protected from denting, splitting, chipping, etc., as outlined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping container of the type set forth above which particularly overcomes the serious objectionpresented by leakage from inverted bottles. Toward this end the invention contemplates the provision of a framework which itself forms both a bottom upon which the bottles may rest and. a bottom by means of which the container as a whole may rest upon its supporting surface. Thus the container is subject neither to decomposition due to internal leakage of liquid nor to decomposition due to its standing in a wet place.

The provision of a shipping container including a skeleton or framework and an outer removable covering and closure therefor which covering may readily and easily be replaced after a period v of use; a container which is attractive in appearance; one which differs but little in style from the conventional carton type. of container and which therefore is readily acceptable as such; one which will takeon an appearance of newness each time replacement of the covering is'effected;

I one in which the replacement may be performed at a very low cost; one which is comparatively light despite its ruggedness and durability; one in which attachment of the covering to the skeleton or framework requires no fastening means on the latter nor mutual fastening means between the two; one in which the covering aflords protection a to the skeleton. or framework both from the outside and from within; one in which the covering may be formed from a single sheet of blank material; and one which is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desiderata that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, not at this time particularly enumerated, will become readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood.

In the accompanying drawings four embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved shipping container showing the same open.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the skeleton or framework thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken vertically through the container.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the container with certain parts thereof being broken away and other parts thereof being shown in section to more clearly reveal the nature of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the removable covering is formed.

Fig. 6 is aperspective view of a modified form of sheet metal framework or skeleton for the container.

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view taken vertically through the framework of Fig. 6 showing the covering applied thereto.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a blank from which the covering of Fig. 7 is formed.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken vertically through another modified form of container with certain parts broken away, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 9 showing yet another modified form of container.

The container shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive involves in its general organization a rigid open box-like skeleton or framework II] which comprises a foundation for the container and which includes side walls II and 2, end walls l3 and I4, and a bottom l5. While the framework l0 may be of any suitable size and of any suitable material, in the present instance it is preferably of a size that will accommodate a case or twenty-four beer bottles of the ordinary 16 oz. variety and is preferably formed of wood on account of the lightness, strength, durability and low cost of the latter. The end walls l3 and I4 may be made considerably thicker than the side walls II and |2 as is the custom in the art of box making to avoid splitting of the wood when the fastening nails for the side walls are driven thereinto and also to lend rigidity to the structure. the side walls I and 2 since the bottom forms a direct support for the assembled container and is subject to abrasion by scufling or otherwise when handling.

The width of the bottom I5 is slightly less than the width of the end walls l3 and and likewise the width of the wooden side walls II and I2 is slightly less than the width of the end walls l3 and I4 in the direction of their height. The upper edges of the side walls II and I2 terminate flush with the upper edges of the end walls I 3 and I4 while the longitudinal edges of the bottom |5 are spaced inwardly a short distance from the vertical edges of the end Walls I3 and I4. Thus longitudinal gaps |6 or slots are provided along the lower longitudinal edges of the structure for a purpose that will presently appear.

The replaceable covering 20 is formed from a single blank of conventional fiberboard carton The bottom |5 may also be thicker than material which is generally of rectangular configuration as shown in Fig. 5 and is provided with transverse crease lines 22, 23 and 24 dividing the blank into end panels 25 and 21 and side panels 26 and 28. The panels 25, 26, 21 and '28 are adapted to coextensively overlie and cover the outside surfaces of respective side and end walls I2, I3 and M of the skeleton or framework H). The blank'may be wrapped, so to speak, about these side and end walls of the framework 0 and in order to fasten the ends of the blank together a crease line 2| adjacent one end of the blank provides an attachment tab 29 which underlies a portion of the side panel 28 on the side wall |2 of the framework I0, and which may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner as for example by means of fastening pins 30 or staples.

A pair of longitudinal crease lines 3| and 32 provide a pair of elongated narrow tongues 33 and 34 respectively which project from the side panels 26 and 28 and which are adapted to bent at right-angles thereto inwardly of the container and are receivedin the gaps I6 providedbetween the lower edges of the side walls II and I2 and the opposed longitudinal edges of the bottom l5 of the framework l0. Thus the covering 20 is prevented from shifting bodily upwardly; when in position on the framework.

A pair of parallel crease lines 40 and 4| provide a narrow elongated top panel 42 which forms a covering for the upper edge of the end wall l4- of the framework |fl when the panel 42 is bent] inwardly of the container at right-angles to the end panel 25. Similarly a pair of parallel crease lines 43 and 44 provide a narrow elongated top panel 45 forming a covering for the upper edge of the end wall |3 of the framework I0;

Panels 41 and 48 of reduced width join the panels 42 and 45 respectively along the respective crease lines 4| and 44 and are adapted to be bent at right-angles to the narrow panels 42 and 45 so as to extend parallel to the end panels 25 and 21 and partially cover the inner surfaces of the end Walls l3 and I4 of the framework l0. Panels 50 and 5| join the panels 26 and 28 respectively along respective longitudinal crease lines 52 and 53 and when bent at right-angles to these latter panels extend inwardly across the top of the container toward each other to provide a closure therefor. A pair of crease lines 54 and 55 respectively provide a pair of elongated retainingtongues 56 and 51 which are adapted .to be bent at right-angles to the panels 50 and 5| and brought into coextensive surface contact with each other and projected downwardly into the container centrally thereof between the end walls l3 and M of the framework I0. The length of the tongues 56' and 51 is substantially equal to the distance between the inside surfaces of the end walls I 3. and M and in order to permit these tongues to be so projected downwardly between the end walls, slots 60 are formed in the blank transversely thereof in the vicin'ty of the juncture between the panels 41,42, andLPB, 45 respectively. The inner ends of the slots 60 ormed in the blank are flared as at 6| to provide guiding means for the edges of the tongues 56 and 51, thus facilitating sealing or closing of the containerpackage. The length of the panels 50 and 5| is substantially the overall length of the container and thus when these panels are brought into alignment in a common plane and provide a closure for the container, they find support on the panels 42 and 45 which overlie and I4 of the framework-I0.

reference characters have been Hand holes 62 are formed in the end walls I3 and I I and similar hand holes 63 provided in the panels 25 and 21 register therewith when the covering is assembled upon the framework.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, wherein a modified form of shipping container is disclosed, the skeleton'or framework 10 in this instance is constructed of light sheet-metal which is willciently rigid to withstand the rough usage expected of it. The framework I includes side walls II and 12, end walls 13 and I4, and a bottom I5. The side walls and bottom are formed from an integral sheet of metal, the former existing by virtue of a reversal of the material upon itself to provide the side walls of double I6. The lower transverse edges of the end walls I3 and 14 are similarly flanged to provide retaining flanges TI. The end walls I3 and I4 are spot welded as at I8 to the ends of the side walls II and I2.

The replaceable covering 19 is in many respects identical with the covering 20 in the form of the invention previously described and like characters of reference have been employed to designate corresponding parts thereof. The main point of departure from the almost identical covering 20 resides in the omission of the tongues 33 and 34 which are unnecessary and undesirable in view of the fact that the lower longitudinal edges of the panels 26 and 28 at which these tongues would ordinarily occur are received in the retaining flanges I6 while the lower edges of the panels 25 and 21 are received within the retaining flanges 11 when the covering I9 is assembled upon the framework I0.

Another point of departure resides in the provision of hand holes 80 in the panels 41 and 48 which register with the hand holes 62 formed in the end walls I3 and I4 and with the hand holes 63 formed in the panels 25 and 21 when the covering I9 is assembled on the framework I0.

The form of the invention just described is particularly well adapted to aiford protection ing I9 extends below a plane several inches.

above the framework bottom I and consequently the lower edges of the covering are in no danger of being contaminated by liquid that may have spilled within the container.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and,.10, two additional modified forms of shipping containers are shown. Both of these containers utilize skeletons or frameworks which are identical with the ones shown in Fig. 2 and for convenience the same corresponding parts thereof.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9,

the covering I00 is formed from a single blank of carton material and includes inner side panels IM and I02 which arecoextensive with the inner sides of the side walls II and I2 respectively; inner end panels I03 which partially cover the inner sides of the end walls; elongated bottom panels I04 and I05 which are coextensive with applied to th I gated top panels I06 which are coextensive with the upper edges of the end walls I3 outer end panels I 09 substantially coextensive with the outer sides of the end walls I3; and cover panels H0 and III which are adapted to occupy the same common plane and close the open end of the framework. The width of the inner end panels I03 is slightly less than the width of'the end walls I3 and thus these end panels may be wedged in between the two inner side panels IN and I02 and consequently will be retained in proper position.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10, the covering H9 is formed from a single blank and includes inner side panels I20 and I2I which partially cover the inner sides of the side walls II and I2; inner end panels I23 which partially cover the inner sides of the end walls I3 elongated top panels I26 and I25 which are-coextensive with the upper edges of the side walls; outer are coextensive with the upper edges of the end walls; and inwardly extending tongues or panels I30 and I3I which project through the gaps I6 and lie along the bottom I5 with adjacent edges thereof substantially meeting each other.

It is to be understood that the fastening means employed in securing the coverings I00 and II!) of Figs. 9 and respectively is substantially the same as has been illustrated and described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the drawings or described in the specification as various changes in the details of construction are contemplated. For example, while fastening staples have been illustrated for holding the outer coverings on the various frameworks, other fastening means may be employed. Only insofar as the invention has particularly been pointed out in the appended claims is the same to be limited.

1. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls,- opposed end walls, and a bottom; a removable. covering on said framework including panels substantially covering the outer sides of the side and end walls, the upper edges of the end walls, and the inner sides of the end walls; and cooperating means on said framework and covering for preventingupward shifting of the latter on the former.-

2. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed sidewalls, opposed end walls, and a bott m; a removable. covering on said framework igcluding panels substantially covering the outer des of the side and end walls,

the upper edgesof the end walls, and the nner sides of the end walls; and means for fastening one of the panels which covers the outer side of an end wall to one of the panels which covers the outer side of a side wall.

3. A shipping container comprising in com-- bination a box-like framework having an open top and. including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a removable covering on said framework including panels substantially covering the outer sides of the side and end walls, the upper edges of the end walls, and the inner sides of the end walls; cooperating means on said framework and covering for preventing upward shifting of the latter on the former; and means for fastening one of the panels which covers the outer side of an end wall to one of the panels which covers the outer side of a side wall.

4. A shipping container comprising incombinationa box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of said side walls, a second outer side panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other side wall; and means for fastening said second outer side panel to the other outer end panel.

5. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of said side walls, a second outer side panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other sidewall; cooperating means on said framework and outer side panels for preventing upward shifting of the covering on the framework; and means for fastening said second outer side panel to the other outer end panel.

6. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed sidewalls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of' said side walls, a second outer sidepanel hinged to one'of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other side wall; cooperating means on said side walls, bottom and outer side panels for preventing upward shifting of the covering on the framework; and means for fastening said second outer side panel to the other outer end panel. 1 7. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom, the lower edges of said side walls being spaced from the edges of said bottom to provide a gap therebetween; a one-piece vremovable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end Wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the'outer side of one of said side walls, a second outer side a tongue formed on each of said outer side panels,

said tongues extending into said gaps to retain the covering onthe framework and prevent upward shifting of the same thereon.

8. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed pairs of walls and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer, top, and inner panels which are hinge'd together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each wall of one of said pairs; a panel hinged to both of said outer panels and covering the outer side of one wall of the other pair, a panel hinged to one of said outer panels, and means for fastening said last mentioned panel to the other outer panel.

9. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework-including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of said side walls, a second outer side panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other side wall, and a cover panel hinged to each of said outer side panels.

10. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer sideof one of said side walls, a second outer side panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other side wall, a cover panel hinged to each of said outer side panels, and a tongue hinged to each cover panel, said tongues having corresponding surfaces thereof in coextensive contact on the inside of the container.

11. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall,

an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of said side walls, asecond outer side panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side of the other side wall, a cover panel hinged to each of said outer side panels, and a tongue hinged to each cover panel, said tongues having corresponding surfaces thereof in coextensive contact on the inside of the container, there being a slot in one of said inner end panels into which said tongues are adapted to extend.

12. A shipping container comprising in combination a box-like framework having an open top and including opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and'a bottom; a one-piece removable covering on said framework including outer end, top, and inner end panels which are hinged together and which cover the outer side, the upper edge, and the inner side respectively of each end wall, an outer side panel hinged to both outer end panels and covering the outer side of one of said side walls, a second outerside panel hinged to one of said outer end panels and covering the outer side .of the outer side wall, a cover panel hinged to each of said outer side panels, and a tongue hinged to each cover panel, said tongues having corresponding surfaces thereof in coextensive contact on the inside of the container, there, being a vertical slot in one of said inner end panels into which said tongues extend, the upper region of said slot being flared to provide a guiding means for insertion of said tongues. WILLIS F. LUCE.

CLARENCE C. KENNEDY. 

